table of contents
- Sunflower with an underground extra
- Hardly any maintenance measures are necessary
- Water & fertilize
- Planting Jerusalem artichokes: root barrier
- frequently asked Questions
Jerusalem artichoke, whose Latin name is Helianthus tuberosus, is a root vegetable that can be found in many gardens Sunflower genus heard. When it comes to growing, the location has to be right. If the plant feels comfortable there, it hardly needs any care and will lively grow under the ground. We'll show you how to properly plant Jerusalem artichokes.
In a nutshell
- when it comes to planting, the most important thing is the right location
- As a sunflower, it naturally prefers a sunny location with lots of warmth
- If the optimal site conditions are largely met, the plant hardly needs any attention, but can largely be left to its own devices
- the optimal time to spread the root vegetables is early spring from around the beginning of April or October
Sunflower with an underground extra
If you see Helianthus tuberosus for the first time, you may mistake it for a common sunflower. The resemblance is no coincidence. Helianthus tuberosus clearly belongs to the sunflowers group. The plant is a typical sunflower and, together with around 50 other species, forms the genus of sunflowers. What sets it apart from most of its conspecifics, however, is the underground extra that it has to offer. Their roots end in so-called sprouts, which are perfect for consumption when cooked. For a long time, these tubers were even considered a delicacy, which was particularly valued in the country of origin of the plant, namely Central and South America. These tubers are the reason for the alternative names that are known in this country for Jerusalem artichoke. These include names like:
- Potato
- Earth pear
- Indian potato
- Rossler
- sweet potato
Plant Jerusalem artichoke as a tuber. These are brought into the ground at a distance of around 50 centimeters. The planting depth should be five to 15 centimeters. The optimal time to spread the tubers is early spring around the beginning of April. However, it can also be grown in autumn. October is ideal here in order to be able to grow the tubers optimally.
Hardly any maintenance measures are necessary
Helianthus tuberosus is a very uncomplicated, easy-care vegetable that therefore hardly makes any work in the garden. As a perennial plant, it is even very easy to cultivate. If you do not want to grow Jerusalem artichokes for optical reasons, but rather have the goal of being able to harvest the largest possible tubers, should use a substrate that consists of fertile, humus-rich soil and good water drainage guaranteed. In principle, the earth must not dry out. On the other hand, waterlogging must also be avoided.
Tip: If the flowers of the Jerusalem artichoke are to be in the foreground and not the yield of the tubers, you have to plant them in a rather sandy soil.
Water & fertilize
So that Helianthus tuberosus gets all the nutrients the plant needs for good growth, it should be fertilized about once a month. Either horn shavings or a commercially available vegetable fertilizer are suitable for fertilization. The horn shavings are simply spread around the trunk in the root area. The vegetable fertilizer is best administered in liquid form and poured into the irrigation water. Speaking of watering: Jerusalem artichoke needs a lot of water, but on the other hand does not tolerate waterlogging. It is therefore essential to ensure that there is good water drainage.
Planting Jerusalem artichokes: root barrier
Helianthus tuberosus loves to grow underground to the fullest and to spread relatively unrestrained underground. The root network does not stop at a neighboring property, which can quickly lead to considerable problems. A root barrier should therefore be included when planting the Jerusalem artichoke. This then largely curbs its runners and clumps.
Tip: The root barrier is best placed directly at the roots in order to be able to contain their spread from the outset.
frequently asked Questions
It is best to leave a few smaller tubers in the ground after harvest. New plants can then form from these. Under no circumstances should the tubers intended for propagation be stored anywhere, as there is always the risk that they will dry out and then no longer be usable.
Jerusalem artichokes do not like waterlogging, but they cannot cope with a lack of water either. The lack of water supply usually means that the tubers grow less well, remain very small and thus lead to a lower yield. Especially in summer, the plant should therefore be watered regularly to protect it from stress.
Helianthus tuberosus comes from a very warm, if not to say hot, part of the world. So she gets along well with our Central European midday sun. Direct sunlight is not a problem for the plant. The prerequisite, however, is that it always has enough water available.
